ALOHA NAPLES!
The Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District (BID) is delighted to welcome the David Beavis Fine Art Gallery as one of the newest and exciting businesses to our iconic main street.
Known for his stunning portfolio of beautiful outdoor images, Beavis has received more than 100 international awards, including the prestigious Epson Pano and Loupe awards. He is also considered one of the top photographers in the United States, recognized by the coveted One Eyeland Awards as a Top 10 Fine Art photographer and a Top 10 Black and White photographer.
While originally from Australia, Beavis and his family moved to Park City, Utah in 2015, where he opened his first U.S. gallery. In 2021, they made their way to Naples, and the new Fifth Avenue South Gallery is his second venture.
So, why the Aloha? It’s a very bittersweet story. The two managers of the new Naples David Beavis Fine Art Gallery were displaced by the Maui wildfires, which decimated the beautiful downtown of Lahaina last year. Fine art veterans for decades, John Atanasio and Gordan Cvetkovic, each ran separate galleries on Front Street in Lahaina. Both galleries and their contents were burned to the ground.
With both friends displaced and with no work, they spent months helping their neighbors in every way possible with food, housing, mental health issues, and inspiration. Both men lived in Maui for decades and knew their neighbors well and were friends with many who lost their lives, including a security guard for the galleries. “It was a nightmare of the worst proportions and now to see as many as 7,000 people still living in a hotel is heartbreaking. We were lucky not to lose our homes, but so many from our church did. Gordon, who is still there helping out, will head to Naples soon. We are so blessed, thanks to David, to now be in a place like Naples. It is truly a dream come true,” said John about their new home.
“Aloha means both hello and goodbye, and we are hoping to bring a little Aloha Spirit to Naples,” continued John. The deeper meaning of Aloha is spelled out in Hawaii’s Aloha Spirit law, inspired by a Maui elder and linguist Pilahi Paki. Actually, Aloha is an acronym of original Hawaiian language. Aloha stands for: Akahai, meaning kindness; Lōkahi, meaning unity; ʻOluʻolu, meaning agreeable; Haʻahaʻa, meaning humility, and Ahonui, meaning patience. These are all principles that Hawaiians are encouraged to follow in their daily lives.
David Bevis began his artistic journey at the age of 12, when his parents gave him his first camera. He has honed his craft over the years, and the new 3,100 sq. ft. gallery in Naples will showcase his award-winning Fine Art Photography Collections, including visually stunning limited editions and one-of-a-kind artworks that capture the grandeur of nature with awe- inspiring realism and provides art lovers with a unique collecting opportunity.
David and his production studio pioneered his signature “immersive method” with the use of next generation technology and printmaking methods, creating beautiful artworks with amazing three-dimensional textures that blur the line between photography and paintings.
"People tend to be much calmer and happier when surrounded by images of natural beauty. It has a way of keeping you balanced, in harmony with what’s really important in life. That’s why I believe that every indoor space needs to have a touch of the outdoors within it," says David.
John says of David and his work, “He has an incredible sensitivity. The world looks different through his eyes. He finds beauty in things you wouldn’t expect.”
Collectors seem to agree. One purchaser said, “My wife and I just purchased a David Beavis photograph as an anniversary present…We went big and were drawn to "Desert Highway"…it is absolutely therapeutic to glance up at the picture every 10 minutes and get lost in the desert. The definition of such a large print just draws you in. It is epic!!...”
As for the new gallery managers, John says, “We already miss our Maui Ohana (which means family), but Gordon and I both are very grateful to land in beautiful Naples and to work with an amazing artist like David. Our mission in his new Naples Gallery is to offer collectors beautiful artworks of extraordinary quality and value, as well as a wonderful gallery experience.”
And when it comes to being on Fifth Avenue South, John is equally excited. “I think Fifth Avenue South is the most beautiful downtown in America. It is one of the most vibrant places I’ve even been to, especially at night with all the lights. It always looks like Christmas. Everyone has been so welcoming.”
The David Beavis Fine Art Gallery grand opening celebration is April 6th from 5:00pm-10:00pm.
David, John, and Gordon, you are now official members of our Naples Fifth Avenue South Ohana!
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